Tim Gilmer is used to having the equivalent of two full-time jobs, which is good since he recently accepted the position of the new principal at Thelma Barker Elementary in north Jackson and the first athletic director for all of Jackson-Madison County Schools.

“When you’ve been a coach for most of your career in education, you pretty much have two full-time jobs for at least part of the year,” said Gilmer, who’s being transferred within the school district from the principal job at Liberty Tech. “But I’m excited to be back involved in athletics, because that’s a passion of mine.”

Gilmer’s career has carried him from an assistant football coach at Lambuth to defensive coordinator and dean of students at University School of Jackson to principal and football coach at Bruceton before returning to Jackson to serve as a principal the last two years.

New J-MCSS superintendent Eric Jones recently announced the creation of this new position to focus on athletics on the macro level for the county.

“Athletics is something that’s important for Dr. Jones, and I’m appreciative of the fact he trusts me to be the person to serve in this role first,” Gilmer said. “I’m looking forward to it.”

Gilmer’s job description is to be an advocate for athletics in the Central Office and make sure all high school and middle school athletic programs have what they need to compete at the highest levels.

“There are plenty of athletes within this school system that have the capabilities to compete at a high level in nearly every area if not every area, and it’s my job to make sure everyone has what they need to do that,” Gilmer said.

He was hesitant to name any specific initial goals he has for the county.

“My first step is to assess the needs of each program at each school in the county and go from there,” Gilmer said. “That includes talking with each school’s athletic director and seeing what they need.

“Hopefully we’ll get a good idea of what’s needed and go from there.”

Gilmer won’t be involved in day-to-day decision-making for individual schools unless asked to step in by the school, so he doesn’t plan to be actively involved in deciding on coaching hirings or firings or decisions within the school. He plans to be the one bridging the gap between a school’s needs and the school board possibly supplying those needs.

“Being the athletic director of each school is enough of a job in itself that one person couldn’t do it alone, so I’m filling a role that they have someone to call to get questions answered and Dr. Jones has someone to ask when he has a question having to do with athletics,” Gilmer said. “I’m grateful for the opportunity and ready to get going.”

Reach Brandon Shields at bjshields@jacksonsun.com or at 731-425-9751. Follow him on Twitter @JSEditorBrandon or on Instagram at jacksonsunsports.